{this chapter goes off course from the episode just a little. i'm trying to add more scenes where katrina can get to know seth so when they get together it doesn't seem too rushed. however katrina is a grown woman and has needs so that will be explored in this chapter.}

"Seth Gecko, huh?" Sonja asks as I fill her in on how he wants passports.

I nod, working on the girl's passport. "He's attractive."

"Is Katrina into a Gecko brother?" she teases. "Who would've thought. The mysterious Lam actually wants to screw someone."

Shooting her a glare over my shoulder, I see her send me a smirk. "I never said I wanted to sleep with him."

Sonja walks up next to me, moving some hair behind my ear. She leads down as her thumb caresses my cheek. "That looks says it all Katrina."

I pull my head back and her hand falls away. "Whatever. Why are you so interested in my sex life?"

One of her sculpted eyebrows arch. "Well, since a certain someone left."

"No thanks to you," I scoff, trying to distract myself by continuing the girl's passport. I don't want to think about the man who I haven't seen or heard from since he left a couple years ago.

"Oh, can you drop that already?" Sonja sighs. "I just haven't seen you with anyone since he left."

"Maybe I keep them away from you for a reason?" I lift my head and send her a fake smile.

My sister rolls her eyes, shaking her head. "I told your ex to leave and you gave me a fractured cheekbone. Aren't we even?"

"It's been years, I don't care anymore."

"Again, that looks tells a different story."

"I'd rather be talking about the Seth then going down this road again."

My sister lets out a chuckle. "At least it's Seth. I heard Rickie's the crazy one." Looking at Sonja, I notice her looking at the passports that are in front of me. "How about you take a break. You've been slaving over these for the past two hours."

"I want them to be ready when he comes to pick them up."

"Taking a half an hour break won't hurt," she says, leaning over and taking the passports from me. "Now go."

Sighing, I stand up and stretch out my legs. Sonja is right. Getting some food wouldn't hurt either. As I pull the curtain to the side, I look at my sister to see her pull out her cell phone. Something is up with her. Since I brought up the Gecko brother, she's been on edge. I can sense it. Her eyes catch me staring and she stops dialing whoever she was about to call.

"What are you hiding Sonja?" I ask, folding my arms against my chest.

Her eyes narrow. "Nothing."

"It'd be nice if you actually included me in things."

"It's best if I didn't."

Sighing, I shake my head. "Just don't screw me over in whatever it is."

"Love you too Katrina."

I send her a fake smile before leaving. My eyes narrow as I exit the shop—not liking Sonja being so secretive.

As I'm passing the restaurant across the way, I turn and see Seth Gecko. He's sitting alone, biting into a soft shell taco—his eyes already on me. Raising an eyebrow, I watch as he takes a drink of his beer. Before I know it, my feet are walking towards the Gecko. His eyes drift from me to something behind me when I decide to sit beside him. Following his gaze, I see the hair salon from across where we're sitting.

"Why are you watching the salon?"

His lifts his head a little, and my eyes watch as the door in the salon opens. My eyes catch a quick glance of a safe in the room, and I know why Seth is here.

"I should've known," I mumble.

Seth switches his attention to me. "You don't know anything."

I scoff, shaking my head. "Why does everyone assume that?" I snap, my fingers rolling up to form a fist. After Sonja excluding me from whatever she's doing—most likely some shady shit—and now Seth's remark ticks me off more than it would've.

He's mid drink when I snap back, and when I do he stops drinking, setting the bottle back on the table. "Did I strike a nerve?"

"No Gecko." I abandon my seat and walk out of the restaurant. I hear a curse behind me, and I turn to see Seth take one last drink out of his beer bottle before following me.

"Are those passports done yet?"

"After I get a drink and some food, I'll go back and finish them. Okay?" I reach Benny's, opening the door and holding it open for Seth to take.

The man gives me an uncertain look, probably debating if he should be spending anymore of his day with me. Seth takes the door, and I send him a smile before walking to the bar with Seth following. The Gecko brother takes a stool beside me, resting his forearms against the top of the bar as I lean back on my stool. From the other end of the bar, I see Benny send me a smile before excusing himself from a woman he's talking to.

"I don't mean to be a cockblock Benny," I say, winking at him.

He shakes his head, grabbing two beer bottles and setting them in front of Seth and me. "You're not interrupting anything." Benny's eyes go to the person beside me. "I see you got some more ink on your neck."

Seth nods. "I went to Katrina like you suggested. Thanks for that by the way."

Benny nods, turning to smile at me. "She's the best I know. I don't trust anyone else to ink up my body."

Laughing softly, I take a drink. "You're too kind."

"So why do you need fake passports?" Benny asks in a low tone of voice, his eyes not looking away from the man next to me.

Seth raises an eyebrow, glancing at me before back at Benny. "My partner and I need them."

"Well no shit. What kind of mess are you tangled in Mr. Gecko? I don't need Katrina getting mixed into it."

Tilting my head to the side, my face softens at Benny's protectiveness. I know I'm one of the few people in his life he will protect until the end. In the last year I notice there has been a slight change in Benny. His behavior hasn't been the same, and I've been meaning to talk to him about it. It's like he's living each day like it's his last.

Seth takes a drink out of his beer. "She won't be getting involved. Once I have the passports, I'll be gone."

My hand tightens around the beer bottle and the coolness bites into my palm. Something at the base of my stomach doesn't agree with that statement. Maybe it's just because my friend down south wants this man and wants a piece before he leaves. And if that's so, if he says he's leaving after then I don't see the problem with indulging a little. I've never been this physically aware of a man since Vick.

Goose bumps spread along my arms as the thought runs through my head, having this Gecko all to myself for a night. My teeth bite my bottom lip as I look at Seth. He's still talking to Benny about something I haven't been paying attention to. His mouth draws my attention as he's talking. The lips are plump, and I have no doubt are very skilled at more than kissing.

"You be careful with this one Katrina," Benny's voice brings me back into the conversation.

My eyes flicker to his and I see him giving me a pointed look. This man is the most observant one I've met. Giving me a silent warning, he excuses himself to other costumers.

"Where's your brother?" I ask, crossing my arms against my chest.

Seth's head snaps so we're making eye contact. "Not here."

"No shit."

I got off my stool and go to the one on Seth's right. I sit so I'm facing his side as he stays leaning against the bar. My eyes travel down to the black flames and my fingertips graze his forearm before traveling up to his bicep. His muscles twitch with the contact and my eyes lift to see his head has turned a little and he's watching with interest. The corners of my lips curve up a little before my fingers hover over the puncture wound that he had me cover over. I didn't touch the mark but marveled at it for a moment before letting my fingers caress down his arm.

"You mentioned the tattoo was to forget someone. Is that someone your brother?"

Seth doesn't answer but takes a drink instead. By his body language I can tell there's something going on between the brothers. I don't know where Richie is, but Seth is trying hard to forget him. It must've been a huge rift because from what I saw on television the brothers were always together. My mind drifts to Sonja. If she did something to hurt me or betray me, would I have the strength to walk away?

Dark eyes framed by long lashes catches my attention when I come out of my head. "You got quiet there. What's wrong?"

"Just thinking about my sister." My fingers start to travel once more along his arm. "If I could have the heart to walk away."

"I don't know your sister, but I do know in some situations it's better to walk away."

"Talking from experience?" I ask, letting out a soft laugh from the not impressed look Seth gives me. "I had to try."

Seth's lips curve up at the corners as he shakes his head. The Gecko pushes his empty beer bottle away from him and he leans back on the stool. My eyes take in his for a few moments before my hand slides into his. Hopping off the stool, I give Seth a tug and he cocks an eyebrow in question.

"I thought you wanted something to eat?"

I could've said something cliché like I'd rather fest on you, but I stop myself from saying anything. Instead, I simply shake my head. Seth leaves a tip for Benny before letting me pull him out of the bar. I drop his hand and see him watching me with his eyebrows raised as he walks beside me. There's people chatting and walking from all the different directions around us. I notice some take a second glance our way, but no one seems to take too much interest.

Pulling on the door to the tattoo parlor, the door doesn't budge. Letting out a sigh, I pull my keys from my back pocket and slide the key into the lock. I secure the key back into my pocket before walking inside and holding the door for the Gecko brother. Sonja must be out doing some business—rather personal or professional I'm not sure—but I'm glad we have the place to ourselves.

I slip through the curtain and I feel Seth follow. "You should be lucky you can leave this place," I mention, breaking the silence between us. Turning, I lean against the counter and cross my arms against my chest. Seth stands a few inches away, keeping his distance. "I wish I can leave," I say, dropping my head so I'm no longer staring at the persona cross from me.

"Why don't you?"

"I planned to once, but it never worked out. My tie here—she isn't going to let go so easily."

His body steps closer. The tips of his shoes almost touching mine. I look up so I'm not staring at his crotch, but at his bearded face. "Your sister?"

I nod, sending him a small smile. "She's going to keep me here rather I like it or not. Or at least have me by her side. I don't want that forever, but I'm waiting."

His eyelashes lower a fraction and I know he's taking in my lips. "Waiting for what?" I jolt at the touch of fingertips against the strip of bare skin in between the bottom of my top and my jeans on my hips.

"The right moment to walk away."

"Is there ever a right moment?"

My hand slips between us as I caress his bearded jawline. Both our eyes flicker to each other's lips. "Maybe not, but I hope I'll have the strength to let go if it does."

My fingers glide around his neck, bringing his head closer. Seth's hands cup my hips as he brings my body flush against his own. Those lips graze mine a few seconds, teasing me, before Seth dips his head down and captures mine in a kiss. My breath hitches and I stand on my tiptoes, wanting to get as close as possible.

Seth lets out a breathy curse when he pulls away for a quick second before biting my bottom lip, connecting in another kiss. My fingers move from his neck to run through his dark strains of hair at the back of his hair; they curl and take hold.

"Looks like you're having a nice lunch," Sonja's voice penetrates my lust and has me pulling away from the man who also steps back, putting distance between us.

Breathing heavily, I look at my sister who is glancing from me to Seth.

"Your sister?" Seth asks, his eyes focusing on me.

Nodding, I walk towards the table I was working at before to finish the passports. "This is Sonja, and she already knows who you are."

"Is it true Richie's the crazy one?"

Not seeing the passports, I glance up at Sonja. "Where's the passports? After you took them, where did you place them?"

"They'll be done tomorrow," she says, looking over my shoulder at the Gecko brother.

"Katrina said she can finish them today."

Her lips pull tight in a false grin. "And I said they will be ready tomorrow."

"Look, Sonja, I don't have that kind of time. I'm on the clock."

Twisting my fingers in front of me, I turn to Seth. "I'll make sure there's finished by tomorrow. I'm sorry for my sister."

He nods. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Sonja takes a seat at the table when Seth turns to leave. I watch as he jiggles the doorknob that leads to the hair salon next door. Before he can catch me looking, I glance away as he exits.